Directional atomization



1954 R. L. MENEGUS ET AL 2,668,079

DIRECTIONAL ATOMIZATION Filed June 21, 1949 *3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I SAMUEL'J. FRIEDMAN,

I FRANK A. GLUCKERT and I 4 ROBERTLMENEGUS 10 1 INVENTORS ATTORNEY 4 R. L. MENEGUS ET AL DIRECTIONAL ATOMIZATION Filed June 21, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 SAMUEL J. FRIEDMAN, FRANK A. GLUGKERT and ROBERT L. MENEGUS IN V EN TORS A T TORNE Y 1954 R. MENEGUS ET AL DIRECTIONAL ATOMIZATION 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 21, 1949 ..m M 5 MR m E T m am m RU V FLM m J NL AT HKR UNE M W MFR ATTORNEY Patented F el). 2, 1954 DIRECTIONAL ATOMIZATION Robert L. Menegus and Samuel J. Friedman, Wilmington, Del., and Frank A. Gluckert, West Chester, Pa., assignors to E. 'I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application June 21, 1949, Serial No. 100,386

12 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a method andapparatus for the directional. atomization of liquids, or liquids mixed with gases or vapors, or suspensions of solids in liquids, and is, particularly directed toward securing a spray distribution which is restricted in cross section.

Control of spray distribution in the manner hereinafter described is highly desirable in chemical manufacturing processes wherein liquids, or solids in solution, or suspensions are spray-dried or spray-crystallized, or wherein intimate gas-liquid contacting must be effected to strip a more volatile component from less volatile carriers, or for other purposes. It has heretofore been the practice to conduct such operations in relatively large diameter chambers, for

the reason that conventional atomizers produce a spray, part of which travels in a direction generally radial to the atomizer axis. This has been disadvantageous because large diameter chambers are expensive to construct, and even with a generous allowance in this respect, liquids or partially dried solids impinge on the wall surfaces where the materials remain largely outside of the zone of activity, or collect in deposits which hinder removal, or expose the product to the deleterious eifects of overheating by prolonged hold-up in the heating zone.

An object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus for atomizing liquids or slurries, either mixed or unmixed with gases or vapors, so that the spray distribution is substantially confined in pattern.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simple and economical apparatus for projecting liquids in an atomized state along a predetermined directional path.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for the atomization of liquids in medium or large sized drops substantially confined to a relatively narrow conical path.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for the atomization of liquids in such a manner that the atomized liquid possesses a relatively low velocity with respect to the atomizer chamber.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent upon consideration of this description together with the following drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of this invention taken along line l! of Fig. 2.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of one embodiment of this invention provided with two liquid ejection cups, one of which is shown removed to more clearly illustrate thedetails of construction.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of a liquid ejection cup.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 3. V

Figure 5 is a partially diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of atomizing apparatus according to this invention shown in operation.

Figure 6 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of this invention taken along line 68 of Fig. 7.

Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of a second embodiment of this invention provided with two liquid ejection cups.

Figure 8 is a representation of a third embodiment shown in partial section along line 8--8 of Fig. 9.

Figure 9 is a bottom plan view of the third embodiment of this invention provided with two liquid ejection jets.

Figure 10 is a side view looking in the direction from the blade tip toward the supporting hub of Fig. 9.

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken on line H-H of Fig. 9.

In general, the objects of this invention are attained by imparting a rapid rotating motion to masses of liquid to be atomized (as in chamber 5) and then continuously ejecting the ,material through tangentially disposed-jets inclined away from the direction of rotation, so that the radial force components are minimized andthe liquid is projected away from the disperserin a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation. The radial force components are minimized by imparting to the material coming from the jets a velocity component parallel to the plane of rotation approximately equal and opposite to the velocity of the rapidly rotating tangentially disposed jets. This velocity is attained by impressing upon the liquid leaving. the jet a preselected pressure augmenting the pressure developed by the centrifugal field by methods described hereinafter, or by accelerating with or by means of a compressible fluid the liquid escaping from the jets. Under these conditions the liquid is atomized into drops having a distribution pattern which may be substantially circumscribed by a cylinder, or the pattern may be given. various frusto-conical shapes by varying the velocity of ejectionof the liquid from the dispersing jets in the manner hereinafter described. v

Referringto Figs. 1 and 2, one embodiment of the atomizing head may comprise a disk I providedwith a flanged peripheral edge 2 to which is fastened a closure plate 3 by means of circumferentially disposed screws 4 which engage tapped 3 holes in the edge of portion 2. The liquid chamber 5 thereby provided serves as a receiver and distributor of materials passing to the ejection jets. Chamber. 5-is preferablyldividedinto two compartments by two radially idisposed vanes? E which may conveniently comprise two lengths of angle iron of sufficient height to abut the interior surfaces of disk I and plate 3. The purpose of vanes 6 is to minimize slippageibetweemcthe liquid and the rotating disperser, vanes 6 extending from near the centeroischarhberf?tcrthe inside periphery of edge 2,.-.thereby 5defining pockets for the receptionloi'theifeeddiqifiddntroduced through the hollow shaft 1 threadedly or otherwise suitable engaged to the hub portion of disk 1. To prevent disengagement bfl' the atomizing head from its shaft, the screw threads may be cut in a direction reverse to the direction of rotation during operation, or relative movementbetween the'head and the shaft elements may be, prevented by pinning the partstogether with'suitable'keys or setscrews (not shown) Plate 3.is provided with.circular'.;openings '8 whichinclude shoulder portions 9" for; the' .sup- *po'rt'pf-ejection cups 1'10. "For p.urposes'..of simplicity in representation; fthe" design of Figs; 1 and 2' has been limited 'to only'two ejection .cpps; howeverfiit--will-be understood that .a greater number .of these cups may. be .spaced apart evenly at a commonradi'al' :distance fromithecenter pf'disk lgprovidedthearigle of inclination of .the. liquid ejection passagesfithe 'speed of .riotagtion;and the other'pperating conditions are controlled'so' that liquidatomized from one cnpwill not. be..impacted by-the next. succeedingpnp' in "its'rntationalprogress.

llt may'be'secured to' disk Lby. throughgoing.bolts H engaging witlrtapp'edholesinj the "interior ofdisk I'jthe. cups being drawn into liq- "uidtight' relationship abutting shoulders. 9 and the bolts being sealed against leakage byngas- Figs. 3 and ishow .one.form of ejectioncup 'whichhasproved highly effiectivei fon'the atom- "ization';of"liquid';solely as distinguished from liq- *u'ids admixed with 'gases.orvapors. As Ishown, .the. "cupsiare 'offgenerally cylindrical outside "'shapetprovidedwitlr a; tapering internal v bore l3, -'-the "sides f which are'inclined at an angle .up "to about"60 tothe vertical, or preferably so that tthe element for the conelthrough the "axis ofthe liquid ejectionpassages; 14 is perpendicular to said axisf'InTjigs. 3 and l; the cupsare, provided witlrisingle,cylindrical ejection passages 4.5.1" ItJis :pcssi'ble to operate'with more than one .jejection -passageper' cup; provided that all of the. passages aretangentially disposed to..'cir'c1esof equal radius and are. located 'on 'the..'.side. of. the. .0111 away fromthe directionof rotation. Passages '14 'are'downwardly inclined at .varyingangles to' the horizontal, depending .on the conditions -Lofop- "oration. andithe icharacte'ristips. of the material which .is.to. beatomized. IThenriterion .ior successful operation is. that siifiicient ejection .pres- "sure must be createdby. the combined centrifugal action andthe impressedjstatic.pressure. on .the

liquid: enteringthenshaft. .so. -thatihe atomized liquidwill take a path substantially iii-prolongation withlthe .axis .of. head rota-tin,-. while. at. the

same time preventing impacting of liquid. dischautgedirem any. particular .oup by the. nextrsum cee'ding. cup. Satisfactory pperation ,may. ,ibe

-acmevem with a. downward... inclination -of passages l 4. fof. from. about 1. .tdfiotreferredtotthe horizontal. JClean .cut. .ej ection .of. liquid is facilitated by machining the area surrounding the outlet opening of passages M to a fiat surface parallel to the tapered wall 3 at the point of ejection, as indicated at l in Eig..4.

5 in .thez caseiwhereza rgas or vaporris admixed with the liquid to accelerate its flow through the ,ejection cups to the requisite backward velocity,

-a modification of the cup design illustrated in 3szand-i 4 improves operation. The inside I!) bores of cupsv handling both liquid and gas should ':bq'generally eylindrical with no taper, and the ejectionglpassages. disposed tangentially to the :inner. cylindrical;.- bore. The ejection passages sshould be suificiently long to permit thorough ad 35 mixture of the gas with the liquid so that the expafiding gaswanaccelerate the liquid to the .necessary ejection velocity. In this connection, we have found a passage length to diameter ratio of from about 2 to 4 entirely satisfactory. When 2o""liquidsgand;gases are to be ejectedtogethenwit "will be understood "thatl' the ejection. passages should. be tangentially disposed. to ;the path of -"atomizer:rotation and located at the maximum radiab'distanceirom"the axis .of rotation. lfI'he 2s passages shouldbe aligned in'the reverse sense "to"the direction of head rotation, in'.'ithe..same *mann'eras hereinabove described for theliqu'id atomization application.

" Referring to. Fig- 5; a typical installation constructed according to'f'the foregoingldescription comprises a hollow shaft' 1 provided with. afldriving pulley ltwhich is" belt turned. by a suitable 'drivingmotor (not shown). "Shaft his rotatahly supported by bearings retained within a-stuffing boxof conventionalTdesign; indicated generally by: reference. numeral H, which v.isJnounted on the top. wall!!! ofitheprocessingyessel. ..L iquid to be processed is. suppliedfthroughpipe :2! .under 7 pressure fromasiiitable r.eser.voir...(not -shown) 40".through a rotatingaseallil. Q'Ii..it..is. desired. to use :;gas' to acoelerate;ithe .liquidprojeoted. .from the feje'ctionfjets .r'atherlthan relying on. liquid supply pressure; thagas may. be admixed with the liquid iorcingiit undenpressureintothe liquid. stream throu'gh pi-pe- -12. admixture may also be accomplished by admittingainunder 7 pressure throngh a line. opening.ata=pointpast 'the. rotating..seal.-. 2l..and within ,and .concentric .tol'sh'aft .1. ..With,the. exception of. a substitution bf Bje'ction. .cups: ,as- .hereinabovedescribed,-- .the design of Fig. 5 is suited .to the atomization of either 1iquids,..slurries,. QrJiquids; or slurriesadmixed. withgases.

':..In.. operation, .the-feedliquid under pressure flows into the two compartments of chamber-:5

.definedby. vanes. sand: is forced to theperiph- Hera]; wall by .the. centrifugal field created byv the rotation .plus. .the .shaft pressure. A highpressure is. thereupon builtrup within-cups. Land ..liquid. is ejected.-from .-passages 44. -Whenthe ...shaft pressure. adjusted to ,the correct .value,

. the-liquid .is: ej acted at a velocity such .that-jche .component pithis-welocity-in the planeot rotation is equal and opposite to the-peripheral -veloc -1w ofithe-cup. -U-nder these conditions the liquid -dropsare notsubject to radial forces uponejec- ..t-ion.which-.tend to impel-the drops outwardly to any-substantial extent. and-therefore their gen- 'eral.-.course roftravel ie-downward parallel to shaft 1. By varying the liquid delivery pressure in the shaft. or .the speed r of rotation of ..the atomizinglheadg. the. discharge pattern may be :altered fromisubstantially:oylindricalto a frustoconical envelopeof aninclination-of about 15 5 or more with the vertical, as indicated by-the schematic representation of the discharge pattern in Fig. 5. Since the spray pattern is restricted within controlled limits, it will be apparent that the atomized liquid may be efliciently contacted with gases within a relatively small diameter enclosure. In general, the side walls of the drier should be removed a distance of 3 or 4 atomizer diameters from the atomizers vertical axis. Contacting gases, such as gases used for drying, may be introduced into the enclosure through suitable ports at either the top or bottom, and contacting may be efiected in either co-current or counter-current relationship, as desired.

When gas is employed to accelerate the liquid to the requisite discharge velocity, liquid and gas flow simultaneously into the compartments of chamber 5, and the liquid is moved to the peripheral wall by the resultant forces. Liquid at high pressure therefore enters cups l0, andthe gas passing under pressure through passages I4 accelerates the liquids transit. By suitably adjusting the gas\ pressure, the component of velocity of the resultant spray in the plane of rotation away from the jets can be controlled to a degree where it is equal to the peripheral velocity of the cup by ejecting a liquid from a nozzle at the same velocity that the nozzle is moving in the opposite direction, a spray is produced that has substantially no movement radially from the atomizer. Thus, relative to a stationary observer, the liquid has no velocity. Where accelerating gas is employed, essentially the same spray pattern is obtained as when control is effected by variation of the liquid feed pressure; however, the drops so obtained will generally have a much smaller average size. Thus, with liquid-gas ejection the average drop size may be four or five times smaller than that obtainedwhere no accelerating gas is used.

In a typical case, a two-cup atomizing head of 7 internal diameter was employed to disperse liquid by static pressure forces solely. The height of the internal chamber was and the ejection cups had an internal height of 0.625 with a maximum diameter of 0.75" and a minimum diameter of 0.39". The ejection passages were 0.0313" in diameter with axes downwardly inclined to the horizontal at an angle of about 30.

The distance from the bottom of the internal conical cup to the center of the inner opening of the ejection passage was 0.125" measured along the vertical. This atomizer dispersed G. P. M. of water when rotated at a speed of 3520 R. P. M. with feed supplied to the shaft at room temperature and at a pressure of 35 lbs. per sq. in. gage.

In a typical case wherein gas was used to accelerate the liquid flow, an atomizing head of identical characteristics to that described in the preceding example, except with ejection passages 0.0625" in diameter and peripherally disposed, dispersed V G. P. M. of water when rotated at 3500 R. P. M. with feed supplied at room temperature and air supplied at a pressure of 35 lbs. per sq. in. gage at a rate of 35 lbs. per hour.

When liquid pressure alone is used for the control of discharge velocity, there is, with a given ejection passage size, a given rate of rotation and a given distance of the nozzles from the axis of rotation, only one flow rate and one shaft pressure which corresponds to the condition where the liquid is accelerated at a velocity precisely equal and opposite to that of the rotating cups. Thus, to adjust for changes in flow ill Gil

rate, it is necessary to either change the size'of the ejection passage or to change the rate of rotation. Where gas is used to accelerate the liquid to the requisite velocity, it is possible to vary the discharge rate of liquid from the jets without changing the rate of rotation merely by adjusting the gas flow rate and pressure to a suitable value. In order to obtain equal discharge rates at the same rotational speeds of operation, the jets of the liquid-gas atomizer should be somewhat larger in diameter than where liquid under pressure is relied on for velocity control.

Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate the construction of a second embodiment of this invention which is intended to disperse liquids and slurries only, as distinguished from liquids or slurries admixed with gas. This design incorporates a pumping element as an integral feature of the atomizing head, elements similar to those hereinabove described being designated by the same reference numerals. Referring to Fig. 6, hollow shaft I constitutes the passage for introduction of liquid feed into the atomizin head, shaft 1 being independently rotated by a drive pulley l6 such as that shown in Fig. 5. Shaft is guided by upper and lower bearing sets which are retained in place by supporting collars 3|. The upper collar 3| is fixedly secured to outer casing 28 by means of key 22, while lower support 3| is pinned to 28 by recessed set screws, such as 23. The annular space between shaft 1 and casing 28 may be utilized as a lubricant reservoir for bearings 30, the open end bein closed against the entrance of dust and other foreign materials by closure plate 42 fixedly attached to gear portion by screws 43.

Shaft is closed at its bottom end to which is fastened the four-bladed pump impeller 25 by means of set screw 24 and key 25. The lower end of shaft 1 is provided with four holes 21 spaced apart for the passage of liquid into the spaces between the impeller blades. The diameter of hole 21 is preferably about four times the diameter of ejection passages M to avoid clogging troubles, particularly when slurries are being processed, and to insure an ample supply of feed to the ejection cups. The interior space between shaft 1 and casing 28 is sealed against leakage from the liquid chamber 5 by packing 29 which i retained in place by an annular metal plate 32 secured to lower collar 3| by screws such as that indicated at 33. The clearance between impeller 25 and the walls of chamber 5 is not critical so long as an efiicient pumping action is attained, the clearances preserved in conventional pump manufacture being entirely satisfactory.

In the embodiment of Figs. 6 and 7, disk I is provided with a thickened hub portion 34 which is internally threaded for engagement with the lower end of casing 28. Casin 28 is provided with an integral toothed gear portion 35 at its upper end which engages with gear 36 driven from a suitable power source not shown. Casing 28 is guided in external bearings 3! which are retained in place by housing 38 bolted to wall N3 of ir peller andthe -atomizir1g.--head:or: disk lsboth rotate-tin rtheasame. direction but at difierent speeds. =-.:E-jection clips I ilzareiden-ticabwith those i previously described;withtheiropenings oriented min a ldirection jOPIJOSitQ to x that of rotation and with their: axes tangent 1 tea circle: drawn from .athe center of shaft 1. nAitwo-cup atomizing head pf this design; having a: chamber of- 9' internal r-diameter andanintemai height of 3/ provides rasufiicient space for the installation of a 7.d1- s.:ameter..four-b1aderimpeller. 1A. device of these -;characteristics will deliver-about 2.78 G. P. M.

of water when the atomizin head i rotated at s3fiflihR: P-.-l-M-.1:and.-the-impeller isrotated ,in-the ssameidirectionat:6208 R; P."M.,-.the ejectionpasnsages beipgn 0.062571 diameter downwardly in- .ieiinedsto-zthehorizontal-at an angle .of-lahout -3U.

..'-.:A-third embodimentof this invention which is reflective forzthe atomization =of.-1iquids orslurries -alone: in admixture with gas orvapor, is disaolnsedvln 9, .16 land. 11. This design is s sometvhatspreferred over. thatof'Figs. land 2 for hithe reason .that the: large expanse of fiat surface -.oomprising:zthesouter face..of..plate.- 3 (refer Fig. 1):;is eliminated and there isa minimum of backw-ward'adrag. on I the. drops rausing troublesome ndepositicn ion: the :atomizipg head. 'Where relatiuelyzmarrow"bladesare employed the angle of vinclinationsof the ej'ection passagesamay be reidunedzm asiqowsas 5%or-1ess,resultingin im sproved.dispersioniatva-ivery low downward veaducity. .':;A:-seoondadvazitage is that the blades eareilindividuazlly adjustable so. that. the angle of --inclination;of1.the;ejectionpassages may bevaried vatWillztosuitthe requirements of-the materials heing processed.

Referring to Fig. 8, hollow zrotating shaft. 'l..1s creducedrat the: lower end for-the threaded re- 1"ceptioniofiatomizinghead i l which maybe locked place by conventional keysor set. screws,. not zsshown. -'l. Qpposite-sides ofhead id are machined :rfiataszshown in-Fig. 9qto receive bladebases-C d "IOI'ijlXltWQJOf which are shown although a greater number. may 'beadded. Blade elements 16 .may

-:hedetachablysupported in vbases 45' but are pref z-erablywwelded thereto as-rshown. Bases '65 are ..;prorided-.-withaarcuate slots. 52 disposed at equal angular: .distances: 1 for. 1 the reception of socket aheadziboltsifl. afihe ;.inner"' facesof =ba-ses 4.5..are

.rzprorided with. circular raised keys 53- which mate with companionrcircular. slots head 44. The angles of inclination of the blades 46. and their associated-gejectiorr -passages' are readily. adjustzedmby :floosening the: three? bolts 41, whereupon .ibases' :iidcraay: be turned to tthedesired position :aandaga-in locked in place bytightening the bolts. A further. advantage of 4 this. embodiment votour reinvention therefore is that F with. these. impeller .-:blades -.=pr,ojectii 1g=. in the same direction. as the .-.directiorr.of-.the-. atomization, the drying .i prosiected -along the-same courseasthe process materi alaand, prevents or eliminates deposition on .the. atomizerflhousing ofthe material being. proc- -essed.

InJoper-ation, liquidais supplied-to blades 46 .throughra-dial passages which open into offset :passages 49in the body portions. The vangle of ,offsetof passages-films such-that the outlet open- :ings-ofthe ejection passageswill-be tangent to a circle drawn. from .thecenter of head 44 at any inclinationv to which the; blades. .are adjusted. For easev inrfabrication and c1eaning,.the. outer .ends a of passages 49-.are .closedwith imperforatc screw plugs 54. shortnpassages -5fl...coaxial with. the ejection passages. divert. :the. liquid to the. dis- ...-charge--op.enings. As shownzin lifig; 11-,:.-blades\46 resemble air. foilseinscrossssection, ;the.---.traliling edge -:being .tapped--'to'-=receive socketed jet: pings 5! which are :centrally \drilled to: the: ejection passage size'desired. -Plugs-5lr:recesswithin 'tapped passage 5E):a:.-sufiicient amount -sosthat firm engagement therewith is had, retention be- .ing improved by smalleset screws if -necessary.

For best results,- the outerrppenings of the 'jet passages of opposite. blades should-.lie.on;a'=.com-

. monline :drawn'throughthe center of .headv ll.

The enlargedopeningsiin the-trailing edgessurrounding the ejection passages-do'notinterfere of liquids, mixed liquids. slurries, colloidal solu- .tions; or any of the foregoing-admixed'with gases,

pattern substantial-ly..:confined cross section comprising developing: centrifugal forces 111.5110- cessive increments :ofsa-id substances while'maintaining said substancesounders a static. pressure head, projecting saidsubstancestangentially sin-a direction opposite to. the directioneof rotation at a velocitysubstantially equal and opposite tothe velocity componentin the-plane of rotation, and dispersing. said substances. .asdiscrete; drops in a directionsubstantially opposite. to the instant direction of rotation .and-.-downwardlyi at .an. angle of between about ll/ iand ?.measuredfromthe horizontal.

2. The methodof. atomizing substances. haying a. liquid continuous phase .in .ordeinto procureha spray pattern substantially confined-.in.-cross-sec tioncomprisinginjecting a; gas .under pressure into. a continuously. flowing stream of said substances, developing. centrifugal 2 forces .ncin succeedinginorements.ofasaid substances, projecting said substances .tangentially yin,- a.. direction opposite to the directionof rotation. at. a velocity substantially equal .and oppositeatothe: velocity componentin-the. plane of rotation, andzdisperstion substantially opposite to the instant-direction of rotation andldownwardlyratam angle of between. about Il/ZZ-and-BO" measured fromrthe horizontal.

3. Apparatus for-the-atomizationof substances having a continuousliquid phasecomprising a-rotatable shaft,-.a-hollow=casing secured thereto. means for the-supply offeed-material 'to"'said casing, ejection passages located: near-the periphery ofsaid casing'with their a-xes lyingdnplanes tangent to a circle. drawnabout;tlie axis -oii'said shaft as a centenrsaid ejection passagesbeing inclined downwardly at an angle between about 1 and 60 measured :fromthehorizontal with discharge openings oriented in. a direction opposite to that of rotation.

4. Apparatus.for.-the. atomization-of substances having. I a .continuousJ-iquid phase comprising-a rotatable shaft,v a: hollow casingraflixedwthereto, means for the supply of feed material to said casing, means for injecting gas under pressure into the feed material flowing into said casing, ejection passages located near the periphery of said casing with their axes lying in planes tanent to a circle drawn about the axis of said shaft as a center, said ejection passages being inclined downwardly at an angle between about 1 and 60 measured from the horizontal with discharge openings oriented in a direction opposite to that of rotation.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 including means for serving each of said ejection passages comprising a separate feed receiving pocket defined by radial vanes aflixed to the interior of said casing and extending from near the center of the casing to the inside peripheral edge thereof.

6. Apparatus for the atomization of substances having a continuous liquid phase comprising a hollow rotatable shaft, a hollow casing affixed thereto, a second rotatable shaft of smaller diameter than said first shaft and concentrically disposed within said first shaft, said second shaft having a centrifugal pump impeller disposed within the interior of said casing, means for rotating said shafts in the same direction but driving said first shaft at a substantially lower speed than said second shaft, means for supplying feed material to said casing, ejection passages located near the periphery of said casing with their axes lying in planes tangent to a circle drawn about the common axis of said shafts as center, said ejection passages being inclined downwardly at an angle between about 1 and 60 measured from the horizontal with discharge openings oriented in a direction opposite to that of rotation.

7. Apparatus for the atomization of substances having a continuous liquid phase comprising a hollow rotatable shaft provided at its lower end with a closing head fixedly attached thereto, at least two hollow, oppositely aligned, radially disposed blades mounted on said head in open communication with the interior of said shaft, the outer ends of said blades having ejection passages with axes lying in planes tangent to a circle drawn about the axis of said shaft as a center, with said ejection passages inclined downwardly at an angle between about 1 and 60 measured from the horizontal and having discharge openings oriented in a direction opposite to that of rotation.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 in which said blades are separable from said head and the inner ends of said blades are provided with arcuate slots for the reception of means for securing said blades to said head, and for adjusting the inclination of said blades.

9. Apparatus for the atomization of substances having a continuous liquid phase comprising a rotatable shaft for supplying liquid under pressure, a hollow casing or chamber aflixed thereto for receiving and distributing the liquid in a horizontal plane, means for channelling the liquid from the receiving chamber, means for injecting gas under pressure into the feed material flowing into said casing, and through said chamber, ejection passages located at the termination of said channels with their axes lying in planes tangent to a circle drawn about the axis of said shaft as a center, said ejection passages being inclined downwardly at an angle between about 1 and 60 measured from the horizontal with their discharge openings oriented in a direction opposite to that of rotation.

10. Apparatus for the atomization of substances having a continuous liquid phase comprising a rotatable shaft, a hollow casing secured thereto, rotating means for the supply of feed material to said casing, means for reducing slippage between the liquid and the rotating means, ejection passages located near the periphery of said casing with their axes lying in planes tangent to a circle drawn about the axis. of said shaft as a center, said ejection passages being inclined downwardly at an angle between about l and 60 measured from the horizontal with discharge openings oriented in a direction opposite to that of rotation.

11. Apparatus. for atomization of substances having a continuous liquid phase, comprising a hollow, vertically positioned, rotatable shaft, a hollow casing secured thereto and forming a generally cylindrical, horizontally positioned chamber for receiving and distributing outwardly therefrom materials supplied through said rotatable shaft, a multiplicity of ejection passages arranged in spaced relation to each other and from the intake to said cylindrical chamber and inclined downwardly at an angle of between about 1 /2 and 60 measured from the horizontal to eliminate interception of the spray from one by the next succeeding spray, at various speeds of rotation, radially and horizontally disposed distributing channels for supplying the liquid substances from said cylindrical chamber to said ejection passages, and downwardly inclined passage-ways connecting said channels with said downwardly inclined ejection passages.

12. Apparatus for the atomization of substances having a continuous liquid phase comprising a rotatable shaft, a receiving chamber secured thereto, means for the supply of feed material to said chamber, downwardly inclined ejection passages located near the periphery of said casing with their axes lying in planes tangent to a circle drawn about the axis of said shaft as a center, means for reducing the slippage between the liquid from the feed supply to the ejection passages comprising vanes extending horizontally from near the center of the receiving chamber casing to control the fiow of liquid to the nozzles, said downwardly inclined, ejection passages having their discharge openings oriented in a direction opposite to that of rotation, and in spaced relation to eliminate interception of the spray from one by the next succeeding spray.

ROBERT L. MENEGUS. SAMUEL J. FRIEDMAN. FRANK A. GLUCKERT.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 428,113 Layman May 20, 1890 465,207 Russell Dec. 15, 1891 1,861,475 Hopkins et al. June 7, 1932 2,004,840 Van Suchtelen June 11, 1935 2,048,847 Desmet July 28, 1936 2,303,088 Perkins Nov. 24, 1942 2,338,779 Mutch Jan. 11, 1944 2,450,599 Kloda Oct. 5, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 637,242 France Jan. 24, 1928 523,799 Germany Apr. 28, 1931 

